Post image next to post title

I am trying to get the next layout at the front page:
The post image or thumbnail should be 300x300px left in the column with the post title, post meta and post content right of it.
A bit looking like http://documentaryfilms.ca/

I am working around and actually I do not know good enough where to start.
I tried the plugin Get_the_image, I put the front page in 'excerpt'.

But what would be the best way to start?
Placing the image in the post content or in the post header?
And which parts can be done in CSS and what part of the job is done in functions?
At which level to solve this: in the Loop or at the level of thematic_content?